A young fan runs the bases at George Taylor Field during last year’s Brock Badgers Hometown Baseball game. This year’s edition of the community event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m.Brock is inviting the community to a free baseball game at George Taylor Field in the Merritton neighbourhood of St. Catharines as part of the University’s Homecoming Weekend celebrations.
The annual Hometown Baseball game to be held Sunday, Sept. 22 will see the Brock Badgers host the Ontario Blue Jays, a team that grooms up-and-coming elite talent in preparation for high-level baseball.
Gates open at noon and the first pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Admission to the Hometown Baseball game is free and the first 100 kids through the gates will receive a free Badgers baseball hat. The event includes free face painting and a family zone, as well a fundraising barbecue for the Brock baseball program.
George Taylor Field on Seymour Ave. in Merritton has been home to the Brock baseball team for nearly two decades. In that time, the team has won two national championships and four provincial titles.
“The Hometown Baseball game has turned into a great tradition,” said head coach Marc LePage. “It gives the community a chance to see the high quality of baseball at Brock, plus it’s a great time for the whole family. The players really enjoy interacting with the fans and are very appreciative of their support.”
Bringing Brock sporting events to the Niagara community continues to be a key focus of the 2019-20 Badgers athletic season, said Brock Sports Associate Director Emily Allan.
“Off the heels of a sold-out Steel Blade Classic last weekend, Hometown Baseball is another great opportunity to host the community,” she said. “Our Badgers baseball team is one of the best in the country, and they love competing in front of a hometown crowd.”
LePage said the strength of his team comes from solid baseball fundamentals.
“Hitting and strong defence have been the keys to our success so far,” he said. “Our young pitching staff is showing promise, but our bats have been a real strength for us.”
Brock has compiled a record of five wins and four losses to start the season, which is made up of opponents from various Canadian and American colleges and universities.
Visit GoBadgers.ca for a full schedule and more information.
